Advice on Pets: Be prepared in case disaster strikes

Friday

Sep 13, 2013 at 12:01 AMSep 13, 2013 at 9:05 AM

September is National Preparedness Month, a good reminder of the threats posed by natural hazards as well as the importance for individuals and communities to be prepared. Every year we are warned to prepare our families for hurricanes, floods, winter storms and other natural disasters. Disasters such as house fires can strike suddenly without any warning and you could be forced to evacuate your home.

The best thing to do is to plan for our pets as we do for ourselves. Here are some helpful tips for planning ahead before a disaster strikes:

Keep your pet’s vaccinations current and your paperwork easily accessible. Be sure your pet has a collar with proper identification and a rabies tag. Make sure your pet has been spayed or neutered. Make a list, including phone numbers, of potential refuges for you and your pet including shelters, veterinary clinics, friends and relatives. Make a list of pet-friendly hotels and motels. Have a sturdy carrier that is large enough to accommodate your animal comfortably. In an emergency, you may need to confine your animal in a carrier or crate. If he resists, you might be forced to leave him behind. Training your pet now to accept a crate or carrier could save his life. Prepare an emergency pet supply kit using a waterproof container. The kit should include at least a three- to five-day supply of food and water, including bowls. For water, a SteriPEN (sold at camping stores and on the Internet) uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. Blankets and a favorite toy are also a necessity. A first aid kit, medications, medical records and specific care instructions are invaluable in emergency situations.

For your cat, make sure to pack cat litter (of a kind your feline is familiar with), litter box and cleaning supplies. Pack current photos and descriptions of your pets in the event you are separated, as well as a list of emergency contact numbers including your vet, animal shelters, friends and relatives.

In the event you are not near home when disaster strikes, arrange to have a trusted friend or neighbor who is familiar with your pet take responsibility for his or her care if possible.

If you find yourself in the worst-case scenario and must leave your pets behind, here are precautions you should follow:

Confine your animal to the safest and most secure room in the house, preferably one without windows but with adequate ventilation such as a bathroom. Leave enough food for four days. Self-feeders and automated water bowls can supply food over many days. Leave familiar bedding and safe toys. Provide a note securely fastened (and protected from inclement weather) to the front door indicating the number of pets in the home and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you can be reached and the name and number of your veterinarian. Make sure your pets are wearing up-to-date ID tags and keep current photos with you. Leave written instructions on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and the name and phone number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pet or place him in a foster care situation. Never leave a pet outside under any circumstances.

I hope we will not need to pursue our well thought-out plans this year, but please keep this list handy just in case. For more information, visit our website, www.PotterLeague.org, to download a free copy of our “Disaster Preparedness” brochure or pick one up at the Potter League, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown. The state Department of Environmental Management offers helpful information including locations of animal evacuation sites and detailed information on preparing an emergency kit on its website, www.dem.ri.gov/animals. Be safe!

Love, Bootsie

P.S. Join us for Potter Pet University, “What You Need to Know About Animal Abuse,” on Monday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The program will be presented by Kimberly R. Ahern, special assistant attorney general, at the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown.

In most cases, the only way that law enforcement is going to hear about instances of animal cruelty is through reporting by a concerned citizen. However, people are often unclear on what defines animal cruelty and what they should do to report a suspected case. Join us for this informative presentation and get an inside-the-courtroom look at the animal abuse laws in Rhode Island, and find out what you can do to help.

The program is free. Potter Pet U is for humans only; please leave animals at home. Pre-registration is required; contact Anastacia Southland at 846-0592, Ext. 120, or AnastaciaS@

PotterLeague.org.

Mail questions to Bootsie Potter, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI 02840, or send email to bootsiep@potterleague.org. The Potter League for Animals is located at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown. For more information, log on to www.potterleague.org.

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